Monday, 18 June 2012

Feeling Drained! Ha Ha

Another week has gone by. Friends Jacky & Ray visited
last Tuesday. They are members of the Enfield Classical Guitar Society which
Alan belonged to before we moved. Lovely to hear the plink plonk trio again
(did I really say that)? We went out to lunch at The Minnis restaurantgreat food – pity about the awful
weather. Good to see you both again and thanks for the flowers.

Our lovely granddaughter Lilah was 1 year old on Friday –
now where did that year go? She is a little stunner. Here is a photo Tim sent
me on her birthday.

Counting the days now until they come to the UK. Having Ethan
and Lilah together will be wonderful.

Had a call from my oncologist as promised and I am now
waiting for an appointment to have a discussion with the thoracic surgical
team. Meanwhile I had my chest drained this morning to see if it helps with the
breathlessness / eating problem – the theory being it might relieve pressure on
my diaphragm and stomach. I find it very confusing when different consultants
give you different options. Having been offered chemotherapy options by both
the consultants at Canterbury and St Barts (both of whom had the same scan and
knew of the fluid) I was advised this morning by the thoracic consultant that
it would be pointless having more chemo while I have so much fluid on my chest
as the chemo would be ‘lost’ in the fluid and not touch the cancer even though
I would have the side effects. Oh my!

I have completed my sessions of ‘breathlessness management’.
The theory is fine and exercises easy to do when I am practising and not
breathless but quite a different story when I am breathless and anxiety takes
over!

Lilah is adorable Tess, such a little cutie. I hope you feel some improvement for having the fluid drained and the breathing exercises start to do some good. As Beryl says, it would be a good idea for the docs to talk to each other but communication seems to be a problem for the NHS. hugs as alwaysClaire xx